Richard Ricci

Richard Albert Ricci (1953 – August 27, 2002) was an American handyman who was initially the main suspect in the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl, Elizabeth Smart of Utah, who was stealthily kidnapped from her house at gunpoint in the early morning of June 5, 2002. Smart was found alive by police nine months later in March 2003 in the company of a Brian David Mitchell, who authorities believe abducted her.

Related Topics:
1953 - August 27 - 2002 - Elizabeth Smart - Utah - Kidnapped - June 5 - March - 2003 - Brian David Mitchell

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Ricci had performed many jobs at the Smarts' home and, according to police and people who know the Smarts, knew the layout of the house very well. That, and the fact that Ricci's white Jeep Cherokee was found to have many extra unexplained miles on its odometer when it was taken to a repair shop on June 8, made Ricci a suspect.

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Ricci, described by many that knew him as a "ladies' man", was booked for an unrelated parole violation a few days after the disappearance. He suffered a brain hemorrhage while in jail and died in a Utah hospital.

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